A national Indigenous consultancy has been recognised for its groundbreaking strategy work delivered with client organisations which enhance diversity efforts for Indigenous peoples.

IPS Management Consultants (IPS) won the Australian HR Institute's (AHRI) 2025 award for best diversity, equity and inclusion strategy at the recent ceremony, which celebrated HR professionals and organisations leading innovation, driving impact and redefining workplace culture across Australia.

IPS, an independent, certified majority First Nations-owned organisation providing consulting services nationwide, was established in 2015, with the company growing to more than 60 staff across offices around Australia.

The consultancy, which works with clients ranging from government departments and Tier 1 corporates to local businesses, has focused on developing strategies designed to create meaningful pathways for First Nations people, women, youth and the long-term unemployed.

Programs delivered by IPS are co-designed and often combine accredited qualifications, industry placements and culturally safe mentoring to build confidence, resilience and long-term employability.

IPS co-founder Damian Chalk, who accepted the award at a ceremony in Melbourne, said the recognition reinforced the strength of the IPS approach, from workforce strategy and organisational development to community engagement and cultural advisory.

"Our clients trust us to deliver an end-to-end capability, which helps organisations transform their workforce, strengthen their culture and achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes with inclusion embedded as just one part of a much broader solution," he said.

"We call this 'the IPS Way' and we embrace a whole-of-system approach, which continues to serve us and importantly our stakeholders well."

Fellow IPS co-founder Katina Law said the award highlighted the organisation's ongoing success with clients and reinforced its standing as a national leader in DEI-driven workforce transformation.

"This national recognition further strengthens IPS's position as a trusted leader in DEI and workforce transformation, demonstrating how our integrated approach is shaping the future of inclusive workforce and community outcomes across Australia," Ms Law said.

IPS said the achievement reflected the impact of its legacy programs, which aim to deliver enduring social and economic benefits to local and broader communities.

One such initiative, the OnTrack Program, began with 105 trainees, of whom 87 have graduated.

Of those graduates, 57 are employed on the ALUA project and 25 have secured employment outside the project.

A total of 44 per cent of graduates identify as First Nations people and 30 per cent are female.

The program has also enabled $103,000 in court-imposed fines to be expiated through the Work Development Payment Scheme.